Renaissance_Man

No matter how people try to spin this, it's a blatantly sexist policy and certainly not one that has any basis in Islam. Why shut the gates of knowledge to women? This is what the Taliban and Wahabbis do, not the followers of Ahlul Bayt (as).
The article claims the Universities have taken this decision to "restore balance." But if the imbalance is due to Iranian women excelling their counterparts in studies, why should the former be punished for their success? Shouldn't Iranian men work harder to compete with women? By barring qualified people from studying these subjects, the end result will be mediocre students will take their place and water it down.

No matter how people try to spin this, it's a blatantly sexist policy and certainly not one that has any basis in Islam. Why shut the gates of knowledge to women? This is what the Taliban and Wahabbis do, not the followers of Ahlul Bayt (as).
The article claims the Universities have taken this decision to "restore balance." But if the imbalance is due to Iranian women excelling their counterparts in studies, why should the former be punished for their success? Shouldn't Iranian men work harder to compete with women? By barring qualified people from studying these subjects, the end result will be mediocre students will take their place and water it down.

No matter how people try to spin this, it's a blatantly sexist policy and certainly not one that has any basis in Islam. Why shut the gates of knowledge to women? This is what the Taliban and Wahabbis do, not the followers of Ahlul Bayt (as).
The article claims the Universities have taken this decision to "restore balance." But if the imbalance is due to Iranian women excelling their counterparts in studies, why should the former be punished for their success? Shouldn't Iranian men work harder to compete with women? By barring qualified people from studying these subjects, the end result will be mediocre students will take their place and water it down.

I for one lament the demise of the Mutazilah school of thought in Sunni Islam. The Asharite victory led to the anti-intellectual tendencies that we see in Sunni Islam today. By closing the door of reasoning, it led to the birth of the extremist movements in Sunnism like the Wahabbis/Salafis. The Mutazilah were closer to the Shia in many aspects of religion and had they prevailed, there would be lesser divide between Sunnis and Shias and Muslims overall would be better off.

:shifty:-> ;)-> :rolleyes:-> :lol:-> :D ------> :P
Reaction chain as we(men) feel better!

No, you don't get it at all. Everyone is aware of the rationalizations Catholics use to tell themselves that they are not practicing idolatry. As discussed, the idolaters of pagan Arabia used the same excuses (We believe Allah is actually the creator and the ultimate God, these are only intercessors we use - sound familiar?) We're talking about the objective reality of what is done, not what you "intend" to do, what you managed to convince yourself you're doing. Stalin intended all kinds of wonderful things, I'm sure. In reality he was a mass murderer. So it goes.
In reality, you're talking in the dark, addressing prayers and reverence to a spirit in the sky, asking for things in return. If the ancient pagans were worshipping their gods, you are worshipping Mary, certain saints, what have you.
It is only a result of intensive indoctrination and inculturation that prevents you from seeing this right in front of your face. Many of the hard-core early pagans responded the same way in the face of the rise of Christianity and Islam.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Some favorite simple recipes of mine:
Tomato sauce (http://www.thekitchn...g-4ingre-144538):
- good quality peeled fresh tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes
- one yellow onion, cut in half
- a few tablespoons of butter
- salt
Simmer all of the ingredients together slowly at a low heat for 45 minutes, crushing the tomatoes as you go along. This is best when you have fresh, in-season tomatoes.

Coffee Ice Cream Float
- strong french press or espresso coffee
- two scoops of vanilla ice cream
- dark chocolate bar
Brew coffee let it cool for a few moments then pour over ice cream. Top with grated chocolate.

Crepes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- about half a tablespoon or so melted butter
- pinch of salt
- filling of your choice
Throw milk, egg, flour, salt, and butter in blender and mix. Set batter aside for an hour to rest. Cook crepes in a non-stick or cast-iron pan then eat as is or fill with any sweet or savory ingredients.

Roast chicken
- 3 lb whole chicken
- kosher salt and pepper
- sliced lemons, garlic cloves, and herbs to stuff inside chicken
- vegetables of choice, such as potatoes, carrots, etc. (optional)
Heat oven to 450oF. Rinse and dry chicken well. Salt and pepper the inside of the chicken and stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and other aromatics such as thyme. Generously salt and pepper the outside of the chicken. Truss legs then place in a skillet or small roasting pan on top of a bed of vegetables. Roast for 50-60 mins or until done and skin is crispy.

You raised some good questions in your original post and I too am curious to know the answer. That is if khums was in fact collected during the lifetime of the Prophet (saw) and onwards, then how did it stop and who was responsible for it?
The Youtube link you posted above seems a little suspect. First, the video was uploaded by a Sunni and many of the things this so-called scholar says are totally opposed to Shia beliefs...like condemning the deputies of Imam-e-Zaman (as).

Some favorite simple recipes of mine:
Tomato sauce (http://www.thekitchn...g-4ingre-144538):
- good quality peeled fresh tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes
- one yellow onion, cut in half
- a few tablespoons of butter
- salt
Simmer all of the ingredients together slowly at a low heat for 45 minutes, crushing the tomatoes as you go along. This is best when you have fresh, in-season tomatoes.

Coffee Ice Cream Float
- strong french press or espresso coffee
- two scoops of vanilla ice cream
- dark chocolate bar
Brew coffee let it cool for a few moments then pour over ice cream. Top with grated chocolate.

Crepes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- about half a tablespoon or so melted butter
- pinch of salt
- filling of your choice
Throw milk, egg, flour, salt, and butter in blender and mix. Set batter aside for an hour to rest. Cook crepes in a non-stick or cast-iron pan then eat as is or fill with any sweet or savory ingredients.

Roast chicken
- 3 lb whole chicken
- kosher salt and pepper
- sliced lemons, garlic cloves, and herbs to stuff inside chicken
- vegetables of choice, such as potatoes, carrots, etc. (optional)
Heat oven to 450oF. Rinse and dry chicken well. Salt and pepper the inside of the chicken and stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and other aromatics such as thyme. Generously salt and pepper the outside of the chicken. Truss legs then place in a skillet or small roasting pan on top of a bed of vegetables. Roast for 50-60 mins or until done and skin is crispy.

Some favorite simple recipes of mine:
Tomato sauce (http://www.thekitchn...g-4ingre-144538):
- good quality peeled fresh tomatoes or canned whole tomatoes
- one yellow onion, cut in half
- a few tablespoons of butter
- salt
Simmer all of the ingredients together slowly at a low heat for 45 minutes, crushing the tomatoes as you go along. This is best when you have fresh, in-season tomatoes.

Coffee Ice Cream Float
- strong french press or espresso coffee
- two scoops of vanilla ice cream
- dark chocolate bar
Brew coffee let it cool for a few moments then pour over ice cream. Top with grated chocolate.

Crepes
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup flour
- about half a tablespoon or so melted butter
- pinch of salt
- filling of your choice
Throw milk, egg, flour, salt, and butter in blender and mix. Set batter aside for an hour to rest. Cook crepes in a non-stick or cast-iron pan then eat as is or fill with any sweet or savory ingredients.

Roast chicken
- 3 lb whole chicken
- kosher salt and pepper
- sliced lemons, garlic cloves, and herbs to stuff inside chicken
- vegetables of choice, such as potatoes, carrots, etc. (optional)
Heat oven to 450oF. Rinse and dry chicken well. Salt and pepper the inside of the chicken and stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and other aromatics such as thyme. Generously salt and pepper the outside of the chicken. Truss legs then place in a skillet or small roasting pan on top of a bed of vegetables. Roast for 50-60 mins or until done and skin is crispy.

OK, I know I'm responding to a 3 year old thread here but Br. kadhim really the nail on the head with his last response.
The problem with the marjayath today is the environment in which scholars are bred insulates them from the realities of today's world. A person who's spent 30-40 years in the hawzah has little interaction with society and isn't in tune with the day to day issues that many of face in the modern world. So while in theory, they may understand the principles, it's questionable whether they can effectively apply them to issues in this day and age which they may not understand as well.
The idea of equipping lay followers with the tools and principles to guide themselves is intriguing. I'm not quite sure how that would be achieved though given the disparity in education level amongst followers. Maybe it can work with a group of ppl like Shiachatters, who are devoted to and interested in learning about Islam. Don't know how it would work with the rest of Shia world who come from all walks of life.
A promising trend that I've seen in the US is homegrown scholars are beginning to emerge who have been brought up and educated in the West and have also attended hawzah. IMO, these ulema are attuned to many of the issues faced by their communities and better equipped to apply the principles of Islam to solve modern problems than the ones who simply study it.

(bismillah)

(salam)

Urdu. There is no language called "Paki". And Hindi is not a real language.

Like the subject says, what 10 books are a must have for every Shia household? Here's my list:
1. [Quran] Holy Quran w/ English translation & commentary by Mi Ahmed Ali & Pooya Yazdi
2. [Hadith] Nahjul Balagha - Imam Ali (as)
3. [Fiqh] Islamic Laws - Ayat. Seestani
4. [Duas] Mafatih Al-Jinan
5. [Karbala] Tears & Tributes
6. [shiaism] Shia - Allama Tabatabai
7. [Philosophy] Our Philosophy
8. [Quran] Lessons from Qur'an
9. [imam Mahdi] The Occultation of the Twelfth Imam (A Historical Background)
10. [History] Origin and Development of Early Shia Islam

Oh my God! You're serious? She was in a committed long term stable relationship with someone? My God. That trollop!
Might as well just throw away the last 15 years right now.
In case there's any confusion, I'm being sarcastic. Get over it. What's wrong with you?
Did she claim to be a virgin before meeting you? No? Then what is your problem? Get over it.
After 15 years of presumably faithful marriage, you're getting bent out of shape of things that took place between 22 and 15 years ago?
No. You're way too far in now. You passed the last exit a long way back.
If she is a good Muslim wife faithful to you NOW, that is what is important. Put these Satanic whispers away. There is nothing good in it.

Ratatouille vegetable stew is one my favorites and pretty easy to make, esp if you use a pressure cooker. Goes great with pasta, couscous, bread, and by itself. Best time to make it is in the summer.
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced in 1/2 inch thick half moon slices
- 1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 medium white onion, chooped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of parsley, finely chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons herbes de provence (optional, you can skip it if you don't have it on hand. gives the stew a great aroma)
- 1/2 cup chicken or veggie stock
- pinch of crushed red peppers (optional. i like to add it for a little kick)
- salt to taste
- olive oil for frying
1) Heat olive oil and briefly sautee the eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and potatoes in small batches. Set aside
2) Add olive oil to a pressure cooker and saute onion slowly at a low temperature till softened.
3) Add garlic and saute till fragrant, about a minute
4) Return all of the vegetables to the pressure cooker with the remaining ingredients, close lid, bring to pressure and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Afghans. Nothing beats Qabuli Pulow.
And yeah, I'm another Paki who hates biryani :sick: (hey that rhymes too)

Ratatouille vegetable stew is one my favorites and pretty easy to make, esp if you use a pressure cooker. Goes great with pasta, couscous, bread, and by itself. Best time to make it is in the summer.
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced in 1/2 inch thick half moon slices
- 1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 medium white onion, chooped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of parsley, finely chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons herbes de provence (optional, you can skip it if you don't have it on hand. gives the stew a great aroma)
- 1/2 cup chicken or veggie stock
- pinch of crushed red peppers (optional. i like to add it for a little kick)
- salt to taste
- olive oil for frying
1) Heat olive oil and briefly sautee the eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and potatoes in small batches. Set aside
2) Add olive oil to a pressure cooker and saute onion slowly at a low temperature till softened.
3) Add garlic and saute till fragrant, about a minute
4) Return all of the vegetables to the pressure cooker with the remaining ingredients, close lid, bring to pressure and cook for 3-4 minutes.

Like the subject says, what 10 books are a must have for every Shia household? Here's my list:
1. [Quran] Holy Quran w/ English translation & commentary by Mi Ahmed Ali & Pooya Yazdi
2. [Hadith] Nahjul Balagha - Imam Ali (as)
3. [Fiqh] Islamic Laws - Ayat. Seestani
4. [Duas] Mafatih Al-Jinan
5. [Karbala] Tears & Tributes
6. [shiaism] Shia - Allama Tabatabai
7. [Philosophy] Our Philosophy
8. [Quran] Lessons from Qur'an
9. [imam Mahdi] The Occultation of the Twelfth Imam (A Historical Background)
10. [History] Origin and Development of Early Shia Islam

^
I actually stumbled upon this very article shortly after posting this thread. IMO, the arguments of post-Safavid scholars for the wilayat of Ali in adhan are not all that convincing and I'd like to discuss some of them here. Basically Dr. Takim says they came about a result of scholars seeking to justify the practice instituted by the Safavids. I have attached Dr. Takim's article should you wish to read it in full. Since its a lengthy article, I've summarized the main points from it below along with my remarks:
There is no mention at all of the wilayah of Imam Ali in the original adhan in the early Shia works of jurisprudence such as al-Kafi. Specifically, there are no traditions from the Prophet (pbuh) and the Imams (as) advocating this practice The first scholar to take up this issue was Saduq who condemned it as an innovation of the Mufawwida. He considers traditions encouraging it as fabricated. Many 10th and 11th century scholars such as Shaykh Mufid, Tusi, Sharif al-Murtada and did not consider it important to discuss this issue. Shaykh Tusi was the first person to admit that odd and isolated hadith do exist. However, he says these are not to be acted upon. Dr. Takim's says that since these were rare, Tusi did not deem them veracious and worthy of consideration. One of Allama Hilli's contemporaries al-Hadhali acknowledged that the wilaya has been narrated in rare traditions but it is not to be practiced as a part of the adhan. Later scholars concurred with their predecessors on this issue.
When this practice was instituted by the Safavids, the ulema refrained from publicly denouncing it. Their silence in effect led to its approval and acceptance. From then on out, Shia scholars beginning with Majlisi I attempted to justify this practice. The arguments advanced for it are as follows:
(1) TAQIYAH
Majlisi I (Taqi Majlisi), commentating on Saduq's statement, speculates that it might have been forbidden by the earlier jurists due to taqiyyah just as some hadith advocate omitting hayya ala khayril amal for the same reason.
* Dr. Takim considers this a weak argument. Firstly, Saduq has mentioned what parts of the adhan can be left out due to taqiyyah and the wilayah of Ali is not one of them. Secondly, there is no evidence that this was done under taqiyyah. In fact, history shows it was quite the opposite. Scholars from the 10th century onwards were living in conditions favorable to Shias. Some like Tusi even had good relations with the rulers of their times. So this argument does not have any merit.
(2) PERSONAL IJTEHAD
After Majlisi, Bahr al-Ulum argued that the prohibition of earlier jurists was their personal ijtehad and not binding on later ulema. This line of reasoning was then adopted by subsequent scholars.
* This is more plausible than Majlisi's assertion however it is interesting that no one else challenged this until the Safavid era. What's more is the pre-Safavid scholars following Saduq in fact maintained this view. I think its a little rash to throw Saduq's ijtehad by the wayside when we haven't examined the traditions that he and other jurists have used.
(3) TABARSI'S HADITH
Majlisi II (Muhammad Baqar Majlisi) cites a hadith from Tabarsi's al-Ihtijaj to justify his position. This is a long tradition but the salient part is the end where Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as) tells a follower: "whenever one of you recites the shahada, he should also say 'Ali is the Commander of the faithful'." Majlisi generalizes this tradition to include all professions of faith including the adhan. This is still the most oft-cited tradition for this practice.
* There are a couple of problems with this argument. First, the hadith in question has nothing to do with the adhan. The Imam simply mentioned that one should testify to the wilayat of Imam Ali (as) whenever the shahada is recited. No Shia scholar before Majlisi ever cited it in reference to the adhan. Majlisi has extrapolated this to include adhan without any justification. Moreover it cannot be ascertained from this tradition that this is a mustahib practice.
The most serious problem is with the tradition itself. It is a mursal tradition lacking any isnad. These kinds of traditions are not considered authoritative by scholars. It has not been cited by any scholar before Tabarsi. A provision, however, exists which allows these traditions to be used in a specific manner which I will mention later.
(4) WILAYAT AS A PART OF EXTRANEOUS SPEECH IN ADHAN
Majlisi II was the first to distinguish the wilayat as a mustahib practice which paved the way to its eventual acceptance. In conjunction with the previous argument from Tabarsi, he states that the community is allowed any form of speech during adhan and iqamah thus uttering the wilayah without intending it as part of adhan is not a sin. For example, after saying "Ash haduan la ilaha illah" and "Ash haduan na Muhammad dar Rasoolillah" people state blessings afterwards such as salawat which are not considered a part of adhan. Later scholars further elaborated on this point citing the Tabarsi tradition as well as other general ones.
(5) THE PRINCIPLE OF LENIENCY IN DEDUCING PROOFS FOR RECOMMENDED ACTS.
This is a principle of Usul al-Fiqh which relaxes the burden of proof for mustahib acts. It permits mustahib acts, but not wajib ones, to be prescribed by less than authentic hadith. It is based on the following hadith of Imam Sadiq (as): "Whoever has received (man balaghahu) a [report] from the Prophet, peace be upon him, about the merits of [performing] an act and he acts according to that report, he will be rewarded for it even if the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not state it."
* Dr. Takim states that this principle has been invoked along with Tabarsi's tradition by scholars since Majlisi to rule the wilayah in adhan as a recommended act. However this does not include those traditions known to be fabrications such as ones Saduq mentioned. Also since we only have allusions to the rare reports about the adhan from the works of Tusi and others not the hadith themselves, how can we say they are justified by this hadith?
(6) SUNNI EVIDENCE
In recent times, scholars have cited hadith from Sunni books which state that Salman and Abu Dharr recited it in adhan and the Prophet (pbuh) approved of it. Answering-Ansar.org ( http://www.answering-ansar.org/fiqh/kalima...an/en/chap3.php ) has mentioned these as well.
* This is actually the most convincing proof thus far however it comes from a Sunni book and only recently advanced as a proof. If it were a practice during the time of the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams (as) then why is there no mention of it in Shia hadith?
FROM_BIDA_TO_SUNNA.txt

Eh, Imran Khan is just another inept politician like the rest of them in Pakistan. How exactly is a former cricketer qualified to lead Pakistan anyways? This is the same guy who fathered an illegitimate child and then refused to acknowledge him. That says a lot about his personal integrity right there.

(bismillah)

(salam)

I can only identify Wahabbis. They are quite easy to spot with their long beards w/shaved mustaches, skull caps, and 3/4 length pajamas.

From the book Oddatol Daee:

http://www.duas.org/od/od.htm

* Why “Duas” are not answered?

You may ask why the “Dua” of many people are not answered, something which is apparently inconsistent with the above-mentioned verses. The Answer is that “Duas” are not answered when requirements of Dua have not been fulfilled. Othman Ibne Saeed says a man came to Imam Sadeq (A.S.) saying: There are two Quranic verses which I have not comprehended properly. Imam Sadeq (A.S.) said: What are those verses? He said: them first one is this:
* *
“Call Me, I will answer you”, for although we offer our Duas but there is no answer. Imam Sadeq said: Do you think God breaks His promise? He said: No. Imam Sadeq (A.S.) said: So why are our Duas not answered? He said: I do not know. Imam Sadeq said: But I will tell you why.
* *
18. “Whoever obeys God’s order and offers his “Dua” properly, they will be answered. I said: How should I pray? The Imam said: First praise God Almighty, then remember Him and thank Him for His blessings. After that, send greetings to the Holy Prophet and his progeny, then confess your sins and ask forgiveness for them. That is the right way for “Dua”.
Then, Imam Sadeq (A.S.) was asked about the second verse which the man had not comprehended:
* *
“And whatever thing you spend, He exceedeth it in reward, and He is the best of sustainers.” Saba, verse 39
Imam Sadeq (A.S.) said: Do you think God breaks His promise? I said: No. The Imam said: Why does He not give reward then? I said: I do not know. The Imam said: if a person gains something lawfully, and he spends it in the right way, he will certainly receive its reward even if he spends a Dirham.
It is impossible that a person begs something from God, which is advisable and God does not grant it. Therefore a supplicant should always pray in this way: O Lord, fulfill my desire if it is in my interest. If delay in fulfilling a wish is advisable, then God will delay it. God Himself says:
* *

“And if Allah should hasten the evil to men as they desire the hastening on of good, their doom should certainly have been decreed for them.” Yunus, 11
In the supplications of the Imam (A.S.) we read:
* *
19. “O One whose will nothing can change.”
At times we desire something from whose evil we seek refuge with God later on and at other times we escape from something but later on we go after it. In this connection, Imam Ali (A.S.) says:
* *
20. “On many occasions man desires something but when his desire is fulfilled he wishes his desire had never been fulfilled.”
The gist of this matter has been expressed in the following Quranic verse:
* *
“It may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know.” Baqarah, verse 216
The main objective of Dua and its reward lies in its being a Divine Mercy and the fact that God’s Mercy precedes His wrath. Therefore a Dua in which there is no good for the supplicant should not be answered.

Wrong articulation of Dua Imam Javad (A.S.) has said:
* *
21. If two persons are of equal status in terms of piety and nobility, the one who is superior in good manners is more honorable to God. The narrator says: I said: May my soul be sacrificed for you! The superiority of a person with good manners is known to people but how is it to God? The Imam (A.S.) said the virtue is that he recites the Holy Quran as it has been revealed and avoids wrong articulation of Dua, for a Dua which is not articulated properly does not ascend towards God.
In this relation, Imam Sadeq (A.S.) too says:
* *
22. We are a people of eloquence. Therefore, whenever you quotes us, do it properly.”
The question raised here is this: There are many persons whose Duas are not articulated properly yet they are answered, why is it so? The answer is that God Almighty rewards the supplicant to the extent of his intention and not in accordance with the wrong articulation of Dua.
This claim is supported by Sheikh Koleini in whose book “Kafi” polyquotes Imam Sadeq and the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) as saying:
* *
23. “If a non-Arab muslim recites the Holy Quran in his own language, angels will take it up in its correct Arabic version.”
A Hadith on the authority of the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) says:
* *
24. “Our deeds depend on our intention.” or
* *
25. “A believer’s intention is better than his deed.” or
* *
26. “God takes Bilal’s “seen” as “sheen” (the Holy prophet’s Muezzin, Bilal could not pronounce sheen (sh) he would say seen (s) instead).
A man came to Imam Ali (A.S.) saying: O Ameeralmoamenin, a person is talking to Bilal but since Bilal can not pronounce the words properly, he is ridiculing Balal. The Imam (A.S.) said:
* *
27. “O servant of Allah! the proper articulation of Dua is meant to purify our deeds. Therefore, the beautiful words of one whose deeds is bad, will not avail him. Hence, Bilal’s wrong articulation will not affect his praiseworthy deeds.”
From this Hadith, we infer that in the same way that words can be mispronounced, “deeds” too can be wrong and it is the wrong deeds which have bad effects and not the mispronunciation of words. This was a Hadith related by Imam Javad (A.S.). But the second Hadith is by Imam Sadeq (A.S.) who quotes the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) as saying:
* *
28. “May God bless one who hears my words, learns them and quotes them as he has heard, for someone may be charged with knowledge but does not understand it deeply.”

With mispronunciation God’s commandments may be misinterpreted.

For example, the Holy Prophet (SAW) was asked: suppose we sacrifice a camel, cow, or a sheep, then we find out that there is a young in the womb of the animal, can we eat from it. The Prophet (SAW) said:
* *
29. “Eat if you wish, for the slaughtering of the mother is the same as the slaughtering of the young.”
However a different reading would be “Eat if you wish for the slaughtering of young would be the same as the slaughtering of the mother.”
That is to say if the young dies after the slaughtering of its mother and before it being slaughtered it is pure according to the first reading but impure according to the second reading.




38. “May God bless a man who requests something from god and persists in it.”
Secondly you will be among God’s friends, for He Himself has suggested that He likes your voice therefore never stop calling upon Him. Thirdly repetition of Dua may help it to be answered. Nevertheless you must have fear from God and say to yourself: perhaps the reason my Dua is not answered is because of my sins, denying of people’s rights, negligence, hardheartedness, or because of lack of good intention towards God which do not allow my deeds to ascend to heavens.
If this occurs, you will reach the position of “fear from God” and you have noticed that you are the blame, that you are a humble servant whose sins have kept him away from his Lord, whose lusts have deprived him of divine Mercy and have prevented him from joining followers of truth.
Nevertheless you should know that if you sit idle in this position of being aloof from your Lord and do not say anything, Satan will look for a chance to entrap you as a result of which you will be doomed to a chastisement. Therefore, supplicate with a language of humility and say:
My God! My Master! My Guardian! If my request is not in the interest of my faith and my life, make me pleased with Your decree.
O God! You do not need me but I do need You.
O God! I am Your servant and a servant should make request from his Lord. Now that You do not receive me, to whom should I turn and to whom should I seek refuge.
It would not be out of place to think of supplication of Imam Sajjad (A.S.) and to ponder it, since it strengthens hope in human beings:
* *
39. MY God! By Your Glory, even if You put a chain round my neck, deprive me of Your pardon, disclose my disgrace before people, give order to put me into Fire, and make a separation between the righteous and me I will never lose my hope in You, nor will I expel from my heart the desire of seeking Your pardon and forgiveness, or expel from my heart Your Love. I will never forget Your kindness and Your concealing of my defects.”
With such supplication, increase your hope lest your fear overcomes it and leads you to despair, for only the erring ones despair of the Mercy of their Lord.
In the meantime do not allow your hope to increase in a way that it leads to pride, for the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) has said:
* *
40. “An intelligent person is one who abjects his carnal desires and endeavors for the Hereafter but a fool person is one who follows his carnal desires and at the same time asks forgiveness from God.
The Infallibles (A.S.) say:
41. “A believer has two wings, namely the wing of hope and the wing of fear.”
Luqman in giving advice to his Son Naman says:
* *
“My dear son, if the breast of a believer is opened, you will see two illuminated strings in it, and if you pull them, none of them is even a bit longer than the other, they are the strings of hope and fear.”
It goes without saying that in the agony of death hope should overcome fear as recommended by the Infallibles (A.S.).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*What should be done when Dua are not answered
If our Duas are not answered quickly, we should be pleased with God’s decree and consider it as a blessing. In this connection, the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) has said:
* *
43. “Do not abhor God’s blessings nor ask for any things without giving it a thought. If affliction befalls sustenance and life of any one of you, do not ever ask for a change, since a change might lead to death or destruction. You should rather say: O God, by the position of Mohammad (SAW) and his household, if there is a blessing in what has befallen me, make me patient and give me not only the power of forbearance, but make me pleased with it too. Yet if there is blessing in something else, give that something to me. At any rate, make me pleased with Your Decree, for praise is due only to You.”
The same meaning is conveyed by Imam Sadeq (A.S.) who says God Almighty gave the following revelation to prophet Moses (A.S.)
* *
44. O Musa! I have not created anyone more beloved than My believing servant. Even when I afflict him or remove that affliction, it is certainly in his best interest, for I know his interest better. Therefore, he should be patient during affliction and thankful during blessing so that I will rank him among the righteous ones and this is when he acts for My pleasure and obeys My decree.
It has been reported on the authority of Imam Ali that God says:
* *
45. “O My servants! Obey My orders. Do not ever wish to tell Me what your interest are, for I am not a miser and I know them better than you do.”
Then Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) has said:
* *
46. “O servants of God, you are as the sick and the Lord of the worlds as the Healer. The interests of a sick person are in what the Healer prescribes and what is expedient for him and not in his desire or his improper requests. Therefore submit to God’s decree that you may be successful.
Imam Sadeq (A.S.) too says:
* *
47. “I am surprised by the state of a muslim man, for any of God’s decrees about him is a blessing. Whether he is torn into pieces with scissors or he is the master of east and west, it would be a blessing for him.”
It has been related on the authority of Imam Sadeq (A.S.) that God says:
* *
48. “A servant of Mine who thinks I delay his subsistence (daily food) must beware My Wrath, for I may not open any door in this world for him.”
One of the revelations sent to Prophet David (A.S.) is as follows:
* *
49. “Whoever turns to Me and stops having hope in anyone but Me, I will be sufficient for him. I will give to anyone who requests and answer anyone who calls upon Me.


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118 Days, 12 Hours, 54 Minutes
On June 21, reporter Maziar Bahari was rousted out of bed and taken to Tehran's notorious Evin prison—accused of being a spy for the CIA, MI6, Mossad…and NEWSWEEK. This is the story of his captivity—and of an Iran whose rampant paranoia underpins an ever more fractured regime.
...Continued at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/223862/

118 Days, 12 Hours, 54 Minutes
On June 21, reporter Maziar Bahari was rousted out of bed and taken to Tehran's notorious Evin prison—accused of being a spy for the CIA, MI6, Mossad…and NEWSWEEK. This is the story of his captivity—and of an Iran whose rampant paranoia underpins an ever more fractured regime.
...Continued at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/223862/